Ramachandran P.K. Nair, distinguished professor in the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences' school of forest resources and conservation, is this year's recipient of the Award in Forest Science from the Society of American Foresters.

The award is presented to a distinguished researcher in any branch of the quantitative, managerial, or social sciences whose work helps advance forestry.

Nair is receiving the award for his "unparalleled" contributions to the development of agroforestry-a science that combines agricultural and forestry technologies to create more productive, profitable and sustainable land-use systems, society officials said.

"I was extremely delighted to hear the news about this award," said Nair, who also won the Barrington Moore Award in Forest Biology from the society in 2004. "This latest SAF recognition signifies the importance the society attaches to the key role that agroforestry could play in sustainable land management the United States and worldwide."

Nair's work helped lead to the establishment of the World Agroforestry Center (ICRAF) in Kenya, as well as the development of hypotheses pertaining to the role of trees in soil productivity and protection in traditional farming systems. He also has contributed to the discipline's academic development, helping to establish the Center for Subtropical Agroforestry at the University of Florida in 2000.

The recipient of numerous awards, Nair has been honored with the Humboldt Prize, the highest scientific award in Germany; the Scientific Achievement Award by IUFRO; and has been named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the National Academy of Science in India, the American Society of Agronomy, the Crop Science Society of America, and the Soil Science Society of America.

Nair has authored and edited 16 books, written 45 book chapters, and published more than 200 peer-reviewed scientific papers. He has served as editor of the international journal Agroforestry Systems; editor of the book series, Advances in Agroforestry; and editor of Agroecology and Land Use.

"P.K. Nair is the leading agroforestry researcher in the world," said Jack Payne, UF senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources "And once again, Dr. Nair is making the university proud by garnering national recognition for his groundbreaking work."

Nair holds a doctoral degree in agronomy from Pantnagar Agricultural University, India, and a doctor of science in agriculture from Goettingen University, Germany. He holds several honorary doctorate degrees from international universities, as well.

The Society of American Foresters is scheduled to present Nair with the award, one of nine SAF is giving this year, at its 2014 national convention, to be held in Salt Lake City, Utah, Oct. 8-11.